Deacons

Brian was born in Greenville and raised in a Christian home. He became a believer at an early age and attended a Christian school. Unfortunately, though, he fell into the common trap. Christianity became a list of do’s and don’ts, act this way, dress that way, say these things, do those things. It was easy to float along in a Christian culture and never foster a relationship with Him. Thankfully, God is faithful and He is patient. Over the years God has shifted my Christianity to joy in loving God, purity to be like Him, and good works because of freedom from the law and sin.

Along the way in my Christian journey, God has blessed Brian in many ways. His twenties were filled with a bachelor’s every ambition: traveling the world, snowboarding, bike racing, playing music, hiking, and hanging with great friends. When he turned thirty, he married his wonderful wife, Lauren, and they now have two sweet girls. He currently works for a technology company here in town and spends his work days “geeking out on computer stuff.” He has enjoyed being at Hope Chapel and currently serves on the Worship Team.

Jimmy Liljestrand was born in New York City and arrived in upstate South Carolina at the age of 9 thanks to his dad’s work transfer. He is just an average guy making a living as a local truck driver. He has a heart for those who are in need and truly works so that others are blessed and receive care.

He is the second of four sons who didn’t grow up in a Christian home. God got his attention In 2004, at the age of 39, through Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, which he read with his wife and two friends. They all got saved around the same time and it has been quite an interesting and challenging ride to let go of 39 years of doing life Jimmy’s way to understanding how to live for and glorify God in everyday life.

He is a simple guy that simply loves Jesus. He also loves college football, hanging out with friends, and enjoying nature. He married his wife, Michelle, in 1987 and thanks God for keeping them together through hard seasons before they knew the Lord. He is a hard worker with a heart of service. He is also faithful to the local gathering of the saints and there will be very few Sundays that you won’t see him at Hope because he looks forward to corporate worship, teaching, and fellowship. His love language is quality time so make an invitation to hang out some time as he would love to get to know you better. 

Ray is a licensed insurance agent but has been a tennis teaching professional for 30 years. Tina also is an insurance agent. God has blessed both Ray and Tina in their lives as they met through the tennis community in Nashville. Ray and Tina married in 2005 and have since lived in Charlotte, Myrtle Beach, north Mississippi and now Greer, SC. Tina owns an insurance business focusing on life and health insurance. Though they love tennis, pickleball is their new hobby. They also love to travel and continue to spend time in MS with family and work.

Tina grew up in a Christian home in small town Mississippi and accepted Christ at the age 13. After graduating from MS State University, she worked at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, TN. God blessed her by surrounding her with godly Christian women in her department that walked with her through various seasons of life. 

Tina and Ray visited Hope Chapel after Ray attended a Work for Worship conference at the church. Both immediately knew this was home for them. Hope Chapel members embody the love of Christ and share it freely! Tina and Ray feel so blessed to be a part of the Hope family and for Tina to serve as deacon. It is their desire to serve the Lord and to serve people while sharing the love of Christ. 

Larry who has a Roman Catholic background is originally from Vermont and relocated to the Greenville area in 1989. In 1982 Larry trusted in Christ when he was 33. At the age of 43, being convinced that the teachings did not agree with the Bible and realizing he could not change the church from the inside, he left the RC church. After leaving, he became even more convinced that it was the right thing to do.

​He went through an unwanted divorce in 1994 and remarried in 1998. His second wife passed away in 2016. ​He remarried in 2019 to a wonderful woman, Kirsten. Her daughter, Sydney lives with them. 

He has been in one start up church and an active member of two other churches in the Greenville area.

​In the spring of 2014, about one year after Hope was launched, he visited Hope Chapel. The visit was to be a one-time event. He was taken with the teaching and the loving people at Hope. He can see God working, and is excited about what God wants to do with Hope Chapel. He enjoys serving with men whose primary goal is to glorify God.